Police catch suspect in burglary attempt

David Hennessey

Updated 10:02 pm, Friday, November 30, 2012

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James E. Shepard, of Stamford, is facing several charges after he allegedly smashed a window at a Halsey Drive residence in a failed burglary attempt Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, and was chased down by police near the Greenwich/Stamford border. less

James E. Shepard, of Stamford, is facing several charges after he allegedly smashed a window at a Halsey Drive residence in a failed burglary attempt Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, and was chased down by police near ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

Police catch suspect in burglary attempt

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A Stamford man is facing several charges after he allegedly smashed a window at a Halsey Drive residence in a failed burglary attempt Thursday and was chased down by police near the Greenwich/Stamford border.

A report came in around noon Thursday that a man, later identified as James E. Shepard, 44, of 20 Orchard St., Apt. 7, was looking into windows of homes in the Hunter Place neighborhood and walking through a backyard toward Havemeyer Lane.

During their investigation, police spotted a man matching the suspect's description, who led them in a foot pursuit when they tried to stop and question him, police said. Officers found the man on Connecticut Avenue in Stamford at the intersection with Myano Lane, where they took him into custody.

Lt. Kraig Gray, spokesman for the Greenwich Police Department, said Shepard, who is on probation, had been dropped off in Greenwich and had been making his way back to Stamford when he attempted the burglary, later hopping a large fence during the pursuit.

"Officers familiar with the direction flanked him, and he ended up being cornered," Gray said.

Shepard, who is from North Carolina, has a criminal history dating back to the 1980s, Gray said.

A Greenwich police dog later led officers to some of Shepard's clothing, which he discarded while running from police.

The dog also found a small plastic bag filled with less than a half-ounce of a green leafy substance, which was later confirmed to be marijuana, police said.

Shepard was charged with possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana, attempted third-degree burglary, simple trespass, second-degree criminal mischief and interfering with an officer.

He did not steal anything during the incident, police said.

Shepard's bond was set at $5,000 and he is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford on Dec. 7.